Pages

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Living Room - Dining Room Tour and Q&A

I finally finished packing up all the Christmas decorations and I have to admit, it feels nice to have the house back to normal again. The live trees and fresh greenery were getting pretty dried out and I just wanted to get everything cleaned up!

With everything back in it's place, I took the opportunity to take a few pictures of my living room and dining rooms today. I've realized lately that I haven't been very good at sharing entire rooms of my house once they are complete. I think it's that they never really feel "complete"...I'm always swapping furniture out, changing up vignettes, etc. The living and dining rooms are no exceptions, but I thought I'd share what is currently there as well as answer some common questions that are emailed to me (paint color, furniture sources).

Since the living room is right off of the foyer, I'll start there. The most common question I receive is what the paint color is on the walls in these two rooms. It's Martha Stewart's "Hickory" found at Home Depot...you can probably get it color-matched to the paint brand you desire. It's a great neutral and goes well with both cool and warm tones. Sometimes the pictures make it come across yellow, but it's not...

I also get quite a few questions regarding the source of my draperies and no, they are not real silk (I wish). I'm actually impressed with the quality for the price on these as they are from Walmart (96'' online). They are a nice sea glass color, lined, and inter-lined...all for about $20-25/panel. I'd love to add some woven bamboo shades as layered window treatments are my favorite!

As for the furniture, it's all second-hand. A $60 Craig's List wicker chair, $15 end tables, and my $200 antique china cabinet that I talked about HERE. Normally, I do not purchase used sofas or anything upholstered (unless I'm recovering them), but this extremely comfortable, down-filled Mitchell Gold/Bob Williams sofa had to come home with me. It helped that it was only $450 (vs. $2,000+), came with a custom-sewn slipcover, and from a nice, clean home. Pillows, lamps, accessories are all discount store finds mixed with plenty of flea market and vintage finds.

On to the dining room... Out of all the rooms in my home, this is where I splurged. After looking high and low for a large farm table that was a reasonable price, I gave up. It's one of the few times I was totally impatient when it came to waiting for the right piece. I broke down and bought the trestle table and dining bench at World Market. I've always loved trestle tables and this one is one of the least expensive options out there. Of course I watched the sales and bought both pieces for under $900 (ouch, it hurts to even type that)!

It helped that the chippy cabinet and wicker chairs were pretty much free (long story)! I have a set of four chairs sitting in my garage that need some serious upholstery work that I'll swap out with these...someday.

Most of my crystal chandeliers are all vintage finds except for this one from Ballard Designs. I waited until it was a "Bring Home Ballard" special and it ended up being quite affordable!

To save on rug costs, I found this $100 indoor/outdoor rug (Overstock) with a soft, raised pattern. It doesn't feel like a scratchy, stiff outdoor rug, but I can still hose it off if the kids spill on it. The framed botanicals are another vintage find. I bought a stack of old prints for only $10, kept and framed my favorites, and sold the rest!

I hope this answers any questions out there. I should have posted some of this information a long time ago! It's actually one of my goals to get my House Tour completely done soon as there are many rooms in the house that I've finished, but didn't get pictures taken, etc. I added some of the above photos as well as source information and paint colors for various rooms over on that page in case you have any more questions...

46 comments:

your home is so warm and inviting! don't you love how fresh everything feels once christmas is out? i LOVE having christmas decor up, but as soon as the holiday passes i am ready for a fresh start! like you i constantly change things around, too- that's half the fun!

I love your mix of colors and textures. Martha Stewart has the best paint colors. Your home is beautiful and I love that you purchased many items second-hand. No need to feel guilty over the occasional splurge. :) I've been looking for an old farm table for awhile now and so far haven't found what I want. Maybe this spring at the flea market I'll get lucky.

These are both beautiful rooms, Kristen! I love how they flow into each other seamlessly. You found some great bargains on your furniture. I love your dining table and I think it was worth the splurge. : )

Your home is gorgeous....You have accumulated such beautiful pieces with so much thought to create a rooms of such warmth and beauty...You have such a talent of finding just the perfect things at the best prices...that takes so much more talent that just going to a showroom and choosing pieces...Love your drapes..never thought to check Wal-Mart...I need new drapes for my bedroom! Loved the tour Kristen!Can't wait to put away my Christmas decorations!

Your home is truely gorgeous! Just had to pin your living room. I had to re-read some of your post because I can't believe what a high end look you have for so little money. Just fabulous! I am going to have to give that Hickory paint a shot. Looks like the perfect neutral. Thanks for sharing :)

Thanks for listing all your sources. You've done a great job furnishing your home on a budget! I would have guessed your draperies were custom made silk. And I'm going to check out indoor/outdoor rugs for my dining room. Great idea!!!

OMGoodness, I love your home!! Thank you so much for the info on the drapes; we just moved into this new home 10/1 and I ahve out off getting drapes. They are so expensive, plus I do want to do the woven shades under drapes. Now I can go to walmart and see what I come up with!!! Yours look beautiful! Love your style, Kristen. I am a new followwr. XO, Pinky

Beautiful. Thanks so much for posting the details! I absolutely love the rug and it's exactly what I've been looking for. Do you know if Overstock still carries it? I tried looking for it but am not finding it.

Wow! I love your style. Everything is so light, bright, and welcoming. I'm so impressed that you were able to find so many pieces at great prices. You've inspired me - we just moved into a new house this past summer. The upstairs has a big game room which we don't really need for little kids any more...but I want it to be a welcoming and used space. You are showing me what a little diligence can add up to. :)

Thank you for the fantastic tour, Kristen! I love your amazing and inviting spaces. The colors you chose are fabulous (what a score finding your lush curtains at Wal-Mart) ... the dining table is gorgeous (love the centerpiece) and the wall color is beautiful!

You have a beautiful home! Just found your blog and I love your style. I have found so much inspiration in just the home tour you have posted! And I'll be checking out the etsy jewelry store soon. ;) Some great vintage pieces.

Just beautiful! I love that you've put your home together slowly (it sounds like) and done it without spending a ton. It certainly doesn't look cheap! When my kids are a bit older I hope to spend more time doing the kind of scouting you have. I love the look!

Hi- I just, well an hour ago, found your blog, and I am really impressed with your decorating. Your house looks lovely, but liveable. My last house was like that. I am in a new home and need to mix things up. I laughed out loud when you said your take your dining room rug outside to hose off. Thank you for sharing your beautiful home with us. Blessings Paula Lusk

I had the same glad to have the holiday stuff away feeling this week too. Your home is beautiful. I am envious of all your gorgeous white trim and moulding and the paint color is just perfect against it. Can't wait to see more of your posts.